Bite back when you get a spider bite

While many people consider spiders to be a nuisance, others are terrified of them! Some people worry about the effects of a spider bite from a health standpoint. Arizona is home to a variety of spiders, some harmless and some dangerous.

As the temperatures climb, just like you, spiders are looking to get out of the summer heat! One of the biggest reasons spiders come into your home is because they want a comfortable place to live and raise their young. In some cases, they’re looking for food and think they can find it around your patio, in your garage, or inside your home.

Make Home Repairs

Most spiders tend to be on the smaller side. They are excellent climbers and can squeeze in a tiny opening. If you’re worried about a spider bite and want to keep spiders out of your home, here are a few repairs to consider:

• Add a fine mesh screen over your chimney opening. Remember, spiders are small and can fit through tiny holes.
• Replace torn window screens.
• Caulk any spaces around window and door frames.
• Fill small cracks in your baseboards.

Give Your House a Good Clean

In most cases, when spiders enter your home, they try to hide from you, your pets, and predators. It’s a good idea to give your home a deep clean if you start to notice more spiders or bugs (aka: spider dinner). This may include:

• Dusting your entire home.
• Using your vacuum attachment to reach under furniture, behind appliances, and in between small spaces.
• Vacuuming your carpets on a regular basis. Remember to vacuum the edges, too.
• Cleaning out your closets and throwing away anything you don’t need. Spider hiding places may be anywhere dark and undisturbed: stacks of papers, old backpacks, shoes, or hats.
• Cleaning food and drink spills immediately.
• Keeping your surfaces clean. Washing and putting away dishes. Organizing and disposing of piles.

Some of the cleaning suggestions will help eliminate spiders and their webs. Other tips, such as cleaning up spills, are to reduce the chances of spider food coming into your house. Flies, gnats, and ants are delicious snacks for a hungry spider.

Keep Outdoor Lights Off

Outdoor lights attract both nuisance spiders and varieties with a wicked spider bite. They also attract smaller insects. As mentioned above, this is prime eating for spiders! Consider limiting how long you leave your outdoor lights on at night. Another option is to install a motion sensor light that only comes on when triggered.

Arizona has plenty of spiders. Some are harmless; others will offer a spider bite to defend themselves. Worse are the dangerous spiders, such as the black widow, brown recluse, and tarantulas. It can be hard to tell what type of spider you have, based on the web or a quick glimpse of their body. A pest control professional is trained to recognize and safely handle any spider issue your home may have.

Check for Habitats Outside

Spiders like coming inside; but if they can’t, they will camp out in your backyard, patio, or on your front step. To deter them from making a home on your property you should:

• Clean up and remove any dead trees, leaves, or plant debris.
• Avoid storing wood outside your home.
• Avoid placing old newspapers outside your home.

Spiders like to hide in cool, dark places, which also includes gardens! Many spiders are repelled by the smell of citrus. If you want a garden, but also want to keep spiders at bay, consider placing orange peels around it. You could also rub the citrus peels outside your doors and windows.

Keeping your home clean and limiting the outdoor lights can only help so much. If you notice webbing or spiders around your home, contact Budget Brothers today to inspect and handle the issue.